Universitas Terbuka (UT) continues to affirm its role as an inclusive and accessible learning space for all, especially for groups that have long faced barriers to higher education, including women. This commitment was highlighted in an Interactive Dialogue aired on Monday, 5 January 2026, featuring Devi Ayuni, S.E., M.Si., Director of UT Majene, who shared insights on women’s leadership and Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) at UT.

Devi emphasized that gender equality at UT is not symbolic, but embedded in its policies, decision-making, and services. Currently, 64% of UT students are women, reflecting UT’s role in providing flexible, distance-learning opportunities that allow women to pursue higher education without being constrained by time, distance, or social roles. This aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

As the only female UT director in Eastern Indonesia, Devi highlighted that leadership at UT is based on fairness, professionalism, and equal opportunity, regardless of gender. She acknowledged external societal stigma but stressed that it can be overcome through integrity, firm leadership, and teamwork.

Closing the dialogue, Devi encouraged women aspiring to academic leadership to be well-prepared, ethical, decisive, patient, and highly educated. She underscored that ethics and proven performance are key to earning trust and breaking gender-based doubts.